slider hitch

[jamieline]

How many people that have a slider hitch have used it and how often?
Short bed trucks. I hear trailers are made so you don't need it but just wondering who has used and under what circumstances?
Those that don't have it do you wish you did?
Thsnks

[jerem0621]

What kind of slider did you go with?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[jamieline]

Thanks for the information. In the end I decided to go with the slider for the insurance. I would have like to spend the money elsewhere but we spend a lot of money on insurance with the hope to never use it but when we have to we're lucky we have it. May never use it but maybe I will.

[shadows4]

I used my 14K Reese slider this last week. Only the second time I used it in three years. I bought it used for $150. Added universal rails for another hundred.

A good friend and I installed it. Last year after winterizing I stopped at the local RV dealer to pick up a small part on my way to the storage lot. Happened to be a busy day so I had to back out of the dealership. Wasn't good. Hit the corner of the cab with the fiver. Dang!!!!(Censored)

I now use the slider if there is any question at all of hitting the truck. I haven't gotten an estimate on the damage yet. Kind of afraid to.

Better to have a slider that not. You will kick yourself if you get into a situation where you need it and don't have it. As well as if you have it and fail to use it. Good luck, John

[Learjet]

Timay wrote:
I understand 'jockeying' but not 'jacking'...what is jacking?

Tim

turning the trailer around on a pivot at the axles, jack knife

[doughere]

When I got the 5er, I had a slider installed, used it a few times the first couple of years. Don't think I've used it in the last 5 or so.

Doug

[cummins2014]

Dayle1 wrote:

up2nogood wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:
14 years w/o a slider, then 10 years with a manual slider that I never used (now sitting in my garage), currently 2 years w/o a slider. Now my hitch is again removable in two light weight pieces. Generally, the "need" for a slider can be avoided by a little extra jockeying back and forth.

Your analogy works great until it doesn't, and of course it only takes once. That extra jockeying back, and forth can work, but there sure are better ways. I would recommend an automatic sliding hitch to anyone with a short bed truck especially IF they are starting from scratch . Takes all the jockeying back ,and forth , and the possibility of knocking out a rear window, or denting the cab.

Sorry, but it is not an analogy. Yeah, I started before even manual sliders were an option. But that meant I focused on the task rather than just throwing the truck in reverse. It has worked fine for 26 yrs. Now when I get older I may need the help of a slider or just stop towing completely.

I was simply pointing out why go to all the hassle of jockeying back, and forth to avoid an issue. I'm sure its worked for 26 years for you , but is there some reason not to have a slider to avoid any issues ,or as you do, jockeying back ,and forth .

[Timay]

I understand 'jockeying' but not 'jacking'...what is jacking?

Tim

[WeBeFulltimers]

Dayle1 wrote:
14 years w/o a slider, then 10 years with a manual slider that I never used (now sitting in my garage), currently 2 years w/o a slider. Now my hitch is again removable in two light weight pieces. Generally, the "need" for a slider can be avoided by a little extra jockeying back and forth.

And this method also puts much less strain on your trailer suspension by not "jacking" the trailer too much. As a retired trucker I have seen many trailer suspensions screwed up by jacking trailers especially when loaded heavy.

[wilber1]

If he couldn't get it to budge he should lubricate it once and a while. I've had mine 13 years and have never not been able to get to move.

[C-Bears]

Dayle1 wrote:
14 years w/o a slider, then 10 years with a manual slider that I never used (now sitting in my garage), currently 2 years w/o a slider. Now my hitch is again removable in two light weight pieces. Generally, the "need" for a slider can be avoided by a little extra jockeying back and forth.

Maybe the bottom line is are you a full time traveling RVer or a seasonal camper. If you are full time and traveling all over the U.S. using strange CG's then you should have a slider.

I wish I would have spent the money and started out with an automatic slider. My Reese is manual and I rarely have used it so I take time to grease/oil it every few months.

[RollandB]

In answering the $500 question......the damage would be greater and more likely if you have collision coverage that may be your deductible. As I said earlier, the peace of mind when I made the change to a slider was worth it. Funny thing, we are camped this weekend, Friday night the guy pulling in next to us hopped out to change his manual slider and couldn't get it to budge. It's like picking your poison.

[wilber1]

jamieline wrote:
Thanks for all the input and still not sure of the direction yet.
To posse another question, for $500 would you put in the slider?

Might be hard for those that have been towing for awhile to answer. Is 500 a small amount for insurance?

A lot of people get along just fine without a slider and the new scalloped front caps on many fivers make them less necessary. Whether you will ever need it will depend a lot on where you keep your rig and like to do your camping. We go into some tight spots so I look at it this way. If I am backing into a tight spot, being able to concentrate on maneuvering the trailer without worrying about stoving in my back window or cab is worth it. If you have a sliding back window in your truck, it will likely cost a lot more than $500 to replace.

[jamieline]

Thanks for all the input and still not sure of the direction yet.
To posse another question, for $500 would you put in the slider?

Might be hard for those that have been towing for awhile to answer. Is 500 a small amount for insurance?

[Dayle1]

up2nogood wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:
14 years w/o a slider, then 10 years with a manual slider that I never used (now sitting in my garage), currently 2 years w/o a slider. Now my hitch is again removable in two light weight pieces. Generally, the "need" for a slider can be avoided by a little extra jockeying back and forth.

Your analogy works great until it doesn't, and of course it only takes once. That extra jockeying back, and forth can work, but there sure are better ways. I would recommend an automatic sliding hitch to anyone with a short bed truck especially IF they are starting from scratch . Takes all the jockeying back ,and forth , and the possibility of knocking out a rear window, or denting the cab.

Sorry, but it is not an analogy. Yeah, I started before even manual sliders were an option. But that meant I focused on the task rather than just throwing the truck in reverse. It has worked fine for 26 yrs. Now when I get older I may need the help of a slider or just stop towing completely.

[Dave_H_M]

This thread gave the super sliders a great inroad in which to say how good their hitch is. And I am not saying there is a thing wrong with it.

I am on my third short box now. GMC, Ford psd, and now Ford gasser.

No slider and never have had regrets, nicked the cab, or wished I had a slider.

After a little yadda yadda I think I did answer one of the OP's questions. :h